Officials: Missing woman's vehicle found with body in backseat

A vehicle belonging to a woman who has been missing for months has been found in Paterson, and authorities confirm that a body was discovered in the backseat.

The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office and Paterson police say the gray Nissan Altima registered to 24-year-old Shanaya Coley has been found. Coley, of Paterson, was reported missing back on December 5, 2017.

As News 12 has reported, investigators had said they believed that Coley was carjacked or possibly abducted near her apartment at the Brooks-Sloat Terrace complex when she was leaving for work. Coley’s glasses and blood were found at the scene.

Officials say a concerned citizen called police this weekend about the car, which was found in the parking lot of a garden apartment complex at 238 Marion St. in Paterson.

Responding officers discovered the body in the backseat. Authorities say the medical examiner was notified, and a positive identification of the body has not yet been confirmed.

Coley is the mother of a 5-year-old son. Her disappearance set off an intensive search for her.

News 12 spoke to Coley's mother, Rachel Martin, who says she's convinced that the body is that of her daughter although it hasn't been confirmed by authorities. She says she's grateful to have her daughter home one way or another. "I have my child," she says.

The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office is urging anyone with information about the case to contact their tip line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org. People can also contact the Paterson Police Department Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.

NEW...Car of missing Paterson woman Shanaya Coley found this morning at a Paterson apartment complex. Body discovered in the backseat. Authorities working on an ID. The latest on @News12NJ through the day.

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